“Honey, we’re never on the outs so I wouldn’t worry about that too much.”
“I suppose not, but still I can’t help thinking Yvonne must be so sorry if she and Roger were quarreling before the accident.”
She was not sleepy and longed to continue the conversation, but after watching Willy yawn again, she decided to leave it for morning. Then after she was in bed she could not fall asleep. Her bones were telling her that trouble was on the way.
Serious trouble.
48
Brenda knew that Lady Em’s quiet dismissal of her when she offered to escort her to her room was one more indication that her employer was aware of the substitution of her jewelry. She was sure of what would happen when Lady Em’s suspicion was confirmed.
In her stateroom Brenda remembered in vivid detail when Gerard, the chef of eighteen years, had begged Lady Em not to prosecute him when his theft was discovered. Lady Em told him that a prison term would be good for him. She had said, “I paid to send your three children to good colleges. I remembered their birthdays. I trusted you. Now get out. I’ll see you in court.”
That’s exactly what she’ll say to me, Brenda thought frantically. I can’t let it happen. She had almost gotten over her attacks of claustrophobia but now had the frightening sensation of a prison door being slammed behind her as she was pushed into a cell.
There was only one way out. Lady Em had admitted at the table that she was not feeling well. If she were to die, her doctor would certainly verify that her heart was in bad shape. She’s on a lot of medication. I have a key to her room, Brenda thought. When she goes for a walk, I could go in and mix up some of her pills. Her heart pills are very strong. If I put some of them in all the other vials, they might bring on a heart attack. It was the only possibility that might save me from prison, Brenda thought. Unless I can come up with a better idea.
And maybe I can.
49
After she got rid of Brenda, Yvonne enjoyed her two scotches, then ordered room service. If her butler was surprised by the three-course dinner and the bottle of Pinot Noir the supposedly grieving widow ordered, he did not show it. With an appropriately subdued manner as he served, he reminded her that if she wanted anything at all he would be at her service throughout the night.
She was thankful that the butler had removed the meal cart minutes before the Captain and Chaplain Baker came to speak to her. As she listened to the Captain explain why they would not go back and search for Roger, she was concerned that the scotches might have made her eyes red. But then she relaxed. I’m a grieving widow. My eyes should be red. And if having a few scotches is helping me cope with my tragedy, who would criticize me?
After they left, as she took a last sip, Yvonne started to think of the future. Granted, she would have the five-million-dollar insurance policy, but how long would that last? The Park Avenue apartment and the house in East Hampton were mortgage-free, but they would surely be seized if Roger’s theft was discovered. And given the luxurious lifestyle she enjoyed, five million dollars wouldn’t go very far.
As she sipped the velvety smooth wine, Yvonne began to consider what options might be available to her. It was clear that Lady Em was going to begin that outside audit as soon as she got home. Was there any way to stop her? After all, the Cleopatra necklace had a curse on it. “Whoever brings this necklace on the sea will not live to reach shore.” She smirked when she wondered if Lady Em, like her late husband, enjoyed sitting on the railing of her deck.
For a long time, she continued to mull over possible solutions to her problems. It was easy enough to get rid of Roger.
Would it be easy enough to get rid of Lady Em as well?
50
With a sigh of relief Celia closed the door of her suite and dropped her evening bag on the coffee table. It seemed like such a long time ago that she had shared lunch with Alvirah and Willy and been comforted by Alvirah’s cheery optimism that all would be well. She knew that some of the passengers had recognized her as the ex-fiancée and, perhaps, co-conspirator of Steven Thorne. Several times she happened to glance around and catch the embarrassed expression of someone who was looking directly at her.
For long minutes she sat on the edge of the bed trying to tell herself that she must not give up. Now she wondered if it had been a mistake to wear the gown tonight. She had received many compliments on it, but possibly the people who made them had been wondering if it had been bought for her by Steven with other people’s money. It might even be possible that some of his investors were on the ship now. He had cut a wide swath with the groups of people who fell for his enticing offer of spectacular returns.
I’m not doing myself any good with this kind of thinking, she told herself as she reached up to take off her earrings. At that moment the phone rang.
The caller did not waste time on a greeting. “Celia, this is Lady Em. This is an outrageous request, but could you possibly come to my suite now? It’s very, very important. And I know this may sound ridiculous, but would you bring your eyepiece with you?”
Celia could not keep the surprised tone out of her voice as she replied, “If you wish.” It was on the tip of her tongue to ask if Lady Em had taken ill, but instead she said, “I’ll be right there.”
The door of Lady Em’s suite was slightly ajar. With a tentative knock Celia pushed it back and stepped into the room. Lady Em was sitting in a large wing chair that was upholstered in red velvet. Celia had the impression of a queen on a throne. There is something majestic about Lady Em, she thought. But the old woman’s voice was weary as she said, “Thank you, Celia. I had no idea I was going to ask you to make your way here at this hour.”
Celia smiled. With quick steps she walked across the room and seated herself in the chair closest to Lady Em. Seeing the obvious fatigue on her face, she did not waste words. “Lady Em, what can I do for you?”
“Celia, before I tell you why I asked you to come over, I want you to know two things. I am aware of the shameful situation regarding your fiancé. I want to assure you that I am one hundred percent certain that you had nothing to do with it.”
“Thank you, Lady Em. Hearing you say that is very important to me.”
“Celia, it’s so good to be able to talk frankly to someone I trust. God knows there are few people in the world I feel I can trust these days. And because of that, I have an overwhelming sense of guilt. I feel very sure that Roger’s death was not an accident, but a suicide, and it was because of me.”